‖Amabhunu, plural noun

/ˌamaˈbʊːnʊ/
Forms:
Ama-Bhunu, AmaboonaShow more Also Ama-Bhunu, Amaboona, Amabuna, Amabunu, Bhuna, ma Bunu, and with small initial.
Origin:
IsiZulu, AfrikaansShow more IsiZulu amaBhunu ‘Boers’ (singular iBhunu), adaptation of Afrikaans Boer Afrikaner (see Boer sense 4). See also ama-.
Among isiZulu-speakers, a derogatory name for:
1. Afrikaner people. Cf. Amabhulu sense 1. Also attributive.
Note:
Also occasionally used as a singular noun (see quotation 1974).
1883 B. Mitford Through Zulu Country 314One chief told me he would like nothing better than to be allowed to lead an impi against the Amabuna (Boers).
1895 H. Rider Haggard Nada 199Now it is, my father, that the white men come into my story whom we named the Amaboona, but you call the Boers.
1898 B. Mitford Induna’s Wife 147Tidings came which were weighty indeed. The Amabuna were advancing into the land of Zulu. [Source Note: Boers.]
1949 O. Walker Proud Zulu (1951) 36In their hearts no Zulu trusted the white man, least of all the ‘Amabunu,’ the Dutch farmers with their harsh gutteral voices and their lust for land.
1961 D. Bee Children of Yesterday 229When will the Amabunu (Boer) Government be beaten? When will your people win? When will an English Government win?
1972 J. McClure Caterpillar Cop (1974) 140There was talk, he added in hushed tones, that despite speaking English, the boy was actually an amaboona. A Boer.
1993 G. McIntosh in Sunday Times 20 June 23‘Amabhunu’ can have the hint of a ‘smear’ in it rather as the words ‘Vaalpens’ (Transvaler), ‘soutie’ (white English-speaking South African) and ‘hairyback’ (Afrikaner) have.
2. White people. Cf. Amabhulu sense 2.
1988 ‘A. Amaphixiphixi’ in Frontline Apr.–May 33The youth refer to all white people as AmaBhunu (boers). One could be an English liberal running some alternative educational structure or an Italian artisan building homes in black areas. All of them are labelled boers.
3. The police. Cf. Boer sense 6.
1991 M-Net TV 22 Sept. (Carte Blanche)It was clear who the enemy was — Amabunu — the police.
Afrikaner people.
White people.
The police.
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18831993

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Amabhulu, plural nounpl. n.amahubo, plural nounpl. n.
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